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Monday, February 8, 2010

Guest Author - Jeaniene Frost (Interview and Giveaway)

I'm delighted to have one of my favourite urban fantasy writers, Jeaniene Frost here today for an interview and giveaway to celebrate the launch of First Drop of Crimson. The book is the first in a new series of standalone novels set in the Night Huntress World. I'll let Jeaniene give you the scoop in the interview.

Want to know more about the new series? Have a burning questions about Cat and Bones? Here's your chance. Jeaniene will be dropping in to respond to commenters.

Not only that, Jeaniene has also generously contributed 3 signed copies of First Drop of Crimson to be won by lucky commenters. Check the Giveaway Guidelines at the end of the post for the entry details.

You can read an extended excerpt of the book on Jeaniene's website here, visit her blog here or visit the wonderful Frost Cemetery fansite here.

Welcome Jeaniene!

SFG: First Drop of Crimson is set in your Night Huntress World. How will it differ from the Night Huntress series and how will it connect in terms of characters and timeline?

First Drop of Crimson is a little more romantic than my Night Huntress novels. It’s also my first novel that shows the vampire world through a centuries-old Master vampire’s viewpoint, which offers readers a much closer look at undead politics and intricacies. Plus, it’s a stand-alone, not the start of a new series, so readers will have a resolution on Denise and Spade in one book versus their story being spread out over several novels.

In terms of a Night Huntress timeline, First Drop of Crimson takes place after the events in Destined for an Early Grave. Readers who’ve followed Spade and Denise as side characters will get a lot of their questions about them answered with this book. However, since this is the first book with Spade and Denise as protagonists, readers unfamiliar with my other books won’t feel like they’re coming into the story midway. One of the perks of writing a stand-alone is that it doesn’t require being caught up on other novels in the series to enjoy it.

SFG: What comes next in the new spin-offs? I’ve enjoyed your interpretation of Dracula in the Night Huntress books. Any plans for him to have his own story?

Thank you! I would love to give Vlad his own series and have been dropping none-too-subtle hints to my editor about that. We’ll see once it’s time to talk new contracts if my efforts pay off. Until then, the next Night Huntress World novel, Eternal Kiss of Darkness, features mega-Master vampire Mencheres and human private investigator Kira as the protagonists. I really loved writing about Mencheres and Kira, but Vlad fans, don’t worry; he’s a side character in Eternal, so you won’t have to wait long to see Dracula again.

SFG: Cat and Bones have become one of the most recognized couples in urban fantasy. Why do you think readers connect so well with them?

One of the most frequent things readers tell me – aside from “Bones is HOT!” lol – is that they like Bones and Cat’s relationship because it’s not perfect. Falling in love didn’t mean an end to their conflicts as a couple, and I think many readers could relate to that. Sometimes Cat and Bones make mistakes (okay, with Cat, a lot of the time ;). Sometimes they say things they don’t mean, or fail to communicate with each other at all. This doesn’t mean Cat and Bones don’t love each other; it means they’re working through relationship issues the same way a lot of couples do, even if Cat and Bones’s issues are set against a supernatural backdrop.

SFG: You’ve said elsewhere that you plan to wrap up the Night Huntress series after 7 or 8 books. Can you give us a sneak peak at your plans or direction?

I could…but then my editor would kill me and thus readers would never know how things are going to end, ha! Okay, in all seriousness, just last month I told my editor how I intended to wrap up Cat and Bones’s storyline and her response was “Cool! Didn’t see that coming.” This made me gleeful, because I love it when I manage to happily surprise my editor. I hope her pleasant surprise is shared by readers when the final novel in the series is released.

SFG: All but the first book in your Night Huntress series have debuted high on the NYT bestseller list as well as other lists. How did you feel when you heard the news the first time? Does it ever get old?

I can honestly say I never expected my series to do this well. I’d always wanted to be a published author, but I knew the odds were against me. In fact, I only started shopping Halfway to the Grave to stop my husband from saying things like, “Honey, is it smart to write several books in a series before finding out if anyone wants to buy the first one?” So getting published was a total dream come true. After that, I didn’t dare to even pray about hitting bestseller lists; I just hoped to sell enough books to eventually get another contract. When my editor called to tell me that my first novel hit the extended NYT and the USA Today, I was stunned. I might have even told her not to lie about things like that, because it wasn’t nice. Think it took about five minutes of her saying, “No, Jeaniene, this is real,” before I believed her.

I’ve gotten three more phone calls about bestseller lists since that one, and no, it doesn’t ever get old. Reader support for my series continually amazes and humbles me. I’m truly blessed. Yes, the bestseller streak is bound to end, but when it does, I will still feel lucky beyond all deserving because I’ve already received much more than I thought was possible.

SFG: A trend seems to be forming for urban fantasy writers to expand into writing young adult fiction or even into graphic novels. Do you have any plans to write YA or have the Night Huntress World series adapted into a comic?

No plans to have the Night Huntress World adapted into a comic. As for the young adult market, yes, I’d love to break into that one day. I have three partially-written young adult stories that have sat on my backburner for almost three years, so it’s something I’ve thought about for a while now. When I was a teen, the YA book selection consisted mainly of Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew. Today, there’s a huge selection of incredibly well-written stories ranging from sweet and light to dark and cutting-edge. Definitely appealing, but even if I did sell one of my YA partials, I would still continue to write adult novels. I love variety in markets as a reader and would enjoy it as a writer, too.

SFG: What future projects are you working on or considering?

Right now I’m writing Cat and Bones’s fifth book. After that I’ll immediately start their next books, and after that, I’ll be giving my publisher puppy eyes while asking pretty please, can I write a Vlad series? (I’m so not subtle about wanting to do that, am I? *wink*). If between finishing up Cat and Bones’s series, getting my wish about a new Vlad series, I can also luck out on selling a YA novel…then I’ll be over the moon with delight. But I have no idea how things will turn out, so I’m just concentrating on what I’m writing now and letting my agent deal with strategizing on potential future contracts.

SFG: All of your characters have great nicknames. Do you have one? If not and you were a character in one of your books, what would it be?

I’m glad you like the character nicknames. I try to come up with interesting or funny ones, though Stan Lee makes it hard since he took all the really cool ones, lol. As for me, the closest thing I have to a nickname is a couple friends calling me “J”. I don’t know if I’d make up one for myself, were I magically transported into one of my books. Now, other characters would probably nickname me Chicken S**t because I’d be hiding under my bed all the time, but can you blame me? There are vampires, ghouls, ghosts, wraiths, black magic, demons, and even zombies in my books! I may love to write about those creatures, but I’d be afraid to live among them.

SFG: The urban fantasy and paranormal genres are booming. What are your thoughts on the future of the genres?

Paranormal and fantasy stories have existed since our ancestors first told fables around campfires. The market “boom” surrounding them might ebb and flow over time, but I don’t see an end to either genre. Fantasy and paranormal fiction presents an outlet for the timeless “what if there’s more to this world than we see…?” question, and I don’t see readers ever truly tiring of exploring that “what if” factor. It’s just too much fun.

SFG: If you could have lunch and a conversation with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Hmm. Living author, I’d have to say Dean Koontz. I’ve been a fan of his since I was thirteen and the way he writes character-driven stories that merge mystery, horror, humor, and romance just floors me.

Deceased author, it’d be a toss up between Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare. I love both equally but for different reasons. The Bard would probably be less depressing to have lunch with, but I still get chills when I read The Raven, so it would be hard to pick between them.

SFG: Being the SciFiGuy, I need to ask – what is your favourite SFF movie and book?

As you can tell from my answer above, it’s impossible for me to pick just one. My answer to this would also vary according to my mood, but right now for SFF movies I’d put Starship Troopers, Aliens, and Galaxy Quest at the top of my list. For SFF books, same disclaimer about mood affecting favorites, but I’ll list some classic faves: Watchers by Dean Koontz, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and Watership Down by Richard Adams.

SFG: Tell us five things about yourself that nobody else knows (until now of course).

Wrapping up the interview with a trick question, huh? Okay, let’s see, five things about me that most people don’t know:

I love turkey meatloaf

I once had six ferrets

I really want to visit Alaska

Wolves are my favorite wild animal

I wore Wonder Woman underoos as a child

And now that I’ve opened myself up for a LOT of teasing about the underoos, thanks so much for having me on your blog, Doug! It was fun. Readers, thanks again for your support of my books, and I hope you enjoy reading First Drop of Crimson as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you Jeaniene for spending time with us (oh and the Underoos reveal was priceless)! I had the ubiquitous Linda Carter Wonder Woman poster on my wall when I was a kid but not quite the same...

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:

I have three (3) copies of First Drop of Crimson to giveaway to our very special commenters. There are two easy ways to enter. Leave a comment or question for Jeaniene or if you don't have a question, then tell us who you think should play Cat or Bones (or any other central character) if a movie or TV series were to be made of the Night Huntress series/world.

Giveaway is open worldwide!

Leave a way to notify you if you should win.

Blog, tweet, post on Facebook or other social network sites for an extra entry. Leave a comment here to let me know.

I love your Night Huntress books and am very excited about the Night Huntress World books coming as well.I understand that First Drop of Crimson is a stand-alone book, but will Spade and Denise appear in more Night Huntress books?

I must admit I have been avoiding the present flood of books featuring all kinds of vampires, werewolves etc. I think a reader and only take so much of a similar kind of thing before wanting to try something new.

I haven't read any of your books as well but would like to try one.

I suppose it is a personal opinion but I wouldn't have classed any of the books you mention as your favorites as Science Fiction.

Great interview.The Night Huntress series is one of the best out there,I tell everyone to go and read it...now! I'd love to read a Vlad book.LOL on the Wonder Woman underoos, me too (now we'll both be teased) :)

My buddy at work Natasha lent me the 1st book in the series and I have been addicted ever since. BTW, noticed Jennifer Estep has made a comment and she was another author that Natasha had turned me on to. Me thinks Natasha has excellent taste in books, although her tastes in movies are horrendous -- what kind of women does not like Young Frankenstein -- seriously ; ) I also had Wonder women underoos and wish I still had em : )contestmom@hotmail.comTweeted at http://twitter.com/mountie9/status/8812078657Please keep writing Jeaniene I love your stories and sort of sad that your world doesnt really exist, I mean Bones and I would make a lovely couple - I could so take on Cat.

Oh, Doug, that picture of the underoos was just too cruel! My husband thanks you, though. He laughed and laughed when he saw it ;).

Questions: Nightmare Before Christmas would be my favorite musical. Re-Timmie, yes, he'll show up again, but I won't say which book. Spade and Denise will be back as side characters in the NH series. None of us have time, but I'd love to do a collaboration with my two critique readers, Melissa Marr and Ilona Andrews. Favorite scene in First Drop of Crimson would be too hard to name. Had several favorites, always a good thing for a writer :). Bones for me is a blend of (when they were in their twenties) Viggo Mortensen, Billy Idol, and Bruce Campbell, plus my naughty imagination. I liked the first Jurassic Park movie, not so much the second or third ones. Not reading anything at the moment (deadlines, deadlines) but last book I read was Dracula: The Undead. Tate - I hope he shapes up as a character. I'd like to see him happily with someone else. Just not sure yet if he'll allow himself to be. The YA proposals are varied; one's featured around vampires, the other demons, the other werewolves. So far the demon one is my fave.

And thanks for the support, ladies, about the underoos! I feel slightly less strange now, lol.

I love your books. I am pouting because I really wanted the next Cat and Bones --- but I am really happy that Spade's getting his story. Let me know who I need to bribe so Vlad gets his too (love the way you developed this guy).

I know the Cat and Bones books are written from Cats view. Will we ever see anything written by Bones? I would love to see how he perceives Cat!

I don't foresee your NYT List streak ending. Your books are well written and tell a fantastic story - why wouldn't they continue to stay on the list.

I ADORE this series and can't wait for the next Cat & Bones book. I like Spade and Mencheres, sure, but they aren't Cat.

Speaking of - will we ever get something from Bones' POV that actually has Cat around? He's popped up in all the NH shorts (which is ironic considering the main character is Cat but everything seems to center on Bones) - but never with Cat around to see his side of the relationship. Could we? Pwease?

Ohhhh Vlad series? That would be amazing! I'm crossing all my fingers hoping you get to write this series.

I love the Huntress series and i can't wait to read First Drop of Crimson, ever since i read SusiSunshine's ARC review of this book i am really excited.

I know that the first book in the Huntress series is coming out In French this year *yay* but do you know if all the books in the series will be translated in French? What about First Drop of Crimson? (hehe i made a few promises to my cousins that i'll get them your books whenever they come out in French *wink*)

I think Katherine Heigl would be someone that had some similarities to Cat if there were a movie or tv show to be made of the series. She might be a little older than our beloved Cat, but Katherine is the only one I can think of. And as for Bones, well I could imagine Julian McMahon playing him if he had darker hair or at least somehow like him...

Hi Jeaniene - Can't wait for FDOC!! The interview was great! My question: Are you working on any short stories with any of the chars from the NH series right now? Not that I want you to stop writing book 5 (shudders at the thought!) but was wondering if you had anything else going on.

Good call on the Viggo mix as Bones, and I totally pictured Oden as Menarches too!

Jeaniene, thanks for all the interviews and tweets and snipets on your blog. I can't wait for FDOC to be released tomorrow. If I didn't have so much work to do I think I would take part of the day off, a nice inexpensive mini vacation.

The NH series is by far my favorite series, I have read the books over an over. Any chance they will come out in hardcover at some point?

I think your publisher would be nuts to pass up some Vlad books. I love Drac, his relationship with Cat is great and I love how it irritates Bones. Ha ha ha. Although Bones is my favorite.

Hi Jeaniene! I haven't read the last book yet so I'm hoping this question isn't redundant. Do we get any sort of conclusion for Tate? I loved the tension between Cat, Bones and Tate. Also, how many Cat and Bones books will there be in total and potential release date for the next one?

I have been a fan since your first book hit the shelves, I remember eyeing it thinking wow new author, great cover, very interesting and from then I've been hooked. Cat and Bones have to be my fave couple can't wait to read FDOC.

I've had your fourth book for a while but I don't want to start it because I haven't read the first three (and I hate starting in the middle of a series). Anyway, I keep hearing great stuff about your books and I look forward to reading them!

Hi again! Thanks for all the great comments. To answer more questions:

“Will we ever see anything written by Bones? Annette?”

The short story “Reckoning” in the Unbound anthology is written in Bones’s point of view, but it’s before he meets Cat. I’d like to do at least another short story in Bones’s point of view while he’s with Cat, but nothing’s set yet.

Re-Annette. I love her character. Perhaps one day, she’ll get a short story as well. There’s a lot of her history that I’ve wanted to work into the Cat and Bones books and haven’t been able to.

“If you had to pick 1 song to represent C&B's relationship, what would it be?”

For me, probably “Stand Inside Your Love” from Smashing Pumpkins, but as music tastes vary, readers will have their own favorites for Cat and Bones.

“Do you know if all the books in the series will be translated in French? What about First Drop of Crimson?”

To date, France has only bought the first two Night Huntress books. I’m hoping they’ll buy more.

“I was wondering what your writing process was like? Do you plan all the twists and turns out first?”

I wrote a very long post about my process here: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/109987.html

“Are you working on any short stories with any of the chars from the NH series right now?”

No, not at this time.

“Any chance they will come out in hardcover at some point?”

No plans for hardcover as of now.

“The NH books go from intense action passages to some great laughs. Are any scenes harder to pace out?”

Not really. I like the flow from intense action to humor to passion to whatever else going on. Call me random :).

“Do we get any sort of conclusion for Tate?”

Please see my earlier reply in the comments about Tate.

“How many Cat and Bones books will there be in total and potential release date for the next one?”

Right now there are seven total Cat and Bones books, with their fifth book coming out sometime early 2011 (no exact date yet).

“So far what has been your favorite Night Huntress novel to write and why?”

I’m so fickle. Whatever book I’m working on at the moment is usually my favorite. Since I’m writing Cat and Bones’s fifth book now, that’s what I’m partial toward at the moment.

“What is the funniest/strangest comment you have received from a fan?”

Hands down, the strangest email I received from a fan was (paraphrase) “All the vampires I know are really mean, but after I read your books, I realize they might be nice on the inside.” Me: hitting “delete” and backing slowly away from my computer…

I can't wait for FDOC and EKOD! A Vlad book would awesome, It would be interesting to see Vlad's view of the other characters. I don't know who could play Cat or Bones, but I have my own visual of what they look like. And I wouldn't mind reading a story about Ian or even Justina.

Great interview.....love your books and have all of them. Except this new one. My local store hasn't got it yet. Hopefully really soon. But as an alternative, I would love to win a copy.lynnflagler(at)yahoo(dot)com

I couldn't think of any actor that would do spade or bones justice so i went looking for a redhead to cat and I found Christina Hendricks. Not sure whether she could pull it off but she looks like my idea of Cat.

Hi Jeaniene I love all of your books. I'm actually reading At Grave's End right now for the ump-tenth time. Ian is my fav character because he is the bad boy. My question is who or what are your influences for your characters?

I talked abot this on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/Amy_Luvs_Booksand on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?v=info&ref=search&id=761514769

I've yet to read the NH series but I'm on the waiting list at my library for it --Paranormal books are really in demand right now!However, since u say readers unfamiliar with the other books won’t feel like they’re coming into the story midway, I'd love to start with Spade's story cause he sound's really intriguing; love that he named himself that to remember his past.Which of the characters is your favorite?

Great interview, Doug! Thanks for all the candid answers, Jeaniene (those underoos were sweet!!).

My question isn't about your books so much, but about the writing/critting process: When you read for Melissa, how much do you read at a time (e.g., a couple chapters or half the book)? Does this vary for different authors?

I ask those questions, because my writer friend and I have decided to critically read for each other as we write so we know what's working/not working, etc.

I have cheered this series on since my first brush with Cat. I love that you are taking it in a new arc and so hope Vlad gets his series. I love how you have kept this series fresh and as one of the few I preorder- keep it going! I just love the suspense and the twists and turns the storylines take.

Hmm, both ways to enter are difficult! How can I pick just one question to ask? And there's definitely no one cool enough to play Bones or Cat in a movie/TV show. I'm not sure I could handle it if they ever made one, actually, since no one would look exactly right.. So as for a question, I'll go with...

What would be your thoughts on your series being made into a Television show/Movie? Do you think you'd be able to handle seeing your characters on screen? Could you handle the changes to the characters/story that would have to be made to make the show/movie suitable for the screen?

My husband got his hands on your books before I did and he loves them. Being a busy mom and book reviewer/blogger I haven't had time to steal them back and read them. Would it be really awful for me to pick up First Drop of Crimson and read it before picking up with Cat & Bones? TY!

Hi Jeaniene! Love your books! I run along with about the same sense of humor so I never get through one without laughing myself silly at times!

I haven't been to the book store in forever (it's very dangerous to my wallet ;) so needless to say when I managed to snag a moment to go recently, I was so excited that I could pick your new release! Only to find out I was a week early =( But now it's release day and I'll have to make a special trip to the book store tonight!

I do have a question though...(I read books so fast that when I pick up the new one, sometimes I have forgotten parts of the back story, so this may have been covered already and if so, I apologize)I know you said your working on short stories and such and that there is one from Bones' POV, but I would love to see a short story from Bones during the time between Book 1 and 2, when Cat ran away. Wanted to know if anything like that was available.

Hi all! Sorry for the delay in getting back to the questions. Have been out of town since Tuesday and have limited email access at my hotel. But enough about my internet withdrawl, onto the questions!

“What book/books are you looking forward to reading?”

I have a bunch of books I’m setting aside as reward reading when I finish my deadline. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting is one, plus I’ll be pestering Ilona Andrews for an early look at Bayou Moon, and after that, it’s whatever’s closest to the top on my TBR pile.

“What were the names of your ferrets?”

Taz, Scruffy, Spooky, Yogi Bear, Piggy, and Angel. Still miss them very much.

“Are there going to be more Night Huntress World (NH Spin-offs) after FDOC and EKOD?”

A thousand little things rolled into one. Really, it’s too hard to begin to answer. I could read a historical account and get inspired by details in it to write a character, or have a dream, or hear an accent, or just come up with an idea out of the blue. Inspiration is so random that’s it’s impossible to point to any one thing and say “this was what caused Character X”.

“Have you thought about writing in any other genres?”

Yes. Either dark fantasy, horror, or young adult (though that last one’s not so much a genre as a market).

“Which of the characters is your favorite?”

Impossible to pick just one :). Aside from villains, I love all my characters, so I couldn’t name a favorite.

“Writing/critting process: When you read for Melissa, how much do you read at a time (e.g., a couple chapters or half the book)? Does this vary for different authors?”

Melissa and Ilona (Andrews) are the only two authors I critique, and how much I read at a time pretty much depends on what they prefer to send me. If one of them wants input on their first several chaps, I’ll read that. If they wait and send me the whole book, then that’s what I’ll read. Or sometimes one of them will send half a book for input, then the other half later. I don’t know how other authors do it but I’m flexible with what I read.

“What is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?”

I think book trailers are mostly a nice way for existing readers of an author to get another format in which to view an upcoming book. I do trailers because I think it’s neat to let my readers see a visual summary of the books. I don’t have any idea if those trailers net me new readers, though.

“What would be your thoughts on your series being made into a Television show/Movie? Do you think you'd be able to handle seeing your characters on screen? Could you handle the changes to the characters/story that would have to be made to make the show/movie suitable for the screen?”

Truthfully, the odds of a television series/movie are so low that I don’t worry about whether I’d like the potential actors or plot changes.

“Would it be really awful for me to pick up First Drop of Crimson and read it before picking up with Cat & Bones?”

Not at all. First Drop of Crimson is a stand-alone, so you don’t need to read the Cat and Bones books before picking it up.

“Is there/will there be a short story from Bones during the time between Book 1 and 2, when Cat ran away?”

There isn’t any and I don’t have any plans on writing one, sorry.

“What urban fantasy/paranormal authors do you enjoy reading?”

I have a list of my favorite authors broken down by genre on my website here: http://jeanienefrost.com/links/

“I would like to know where you came up with your ideas for the Night Huntress world?”

From a dream where I saw a half-vampire woman arguing with a full vampire about why she had to leave him years before. The story of Cat and Bones, plus the type of world they lived in, all formed from me wondering who those people are and what had happened to bring them to that point.

“Are you going to be telling Vlad's story?”

I’d love to write books about Vlad. We’ll see later, when contract time rolls around, if my publisher will love that idea, too :).

I love the fact you had Wonder Woman under-roos. I had those ones as well as Spiderwoman. :) Don't you think it would be great to have them for adults. I could use them for extra power before a big meeting. Sort of like wearing your fun lingere under a serious business suit.

I'm looking forward to more books featuring the other secondary characters in the Bones and cat series. I think it keeps a series "fresher" and allows all the characters including Bones and Cat to develop more.

If you're not too busy, you could help out with script writing. Though I'm not too sure which would sell out the most for the series. A movie is always good, though subjective in the ages, so possibly a TV series? I know I'd tune in! :)

Honestly, how do you not get stuck while you write? Do you do a mantra or just go away, get some hot chocolate and then the sugar buzz hits, you're back at the desk?

I know I put that retweet somewhere. I'm sorry, I'm still trying to figure it out. But it has been done :-S(VamPoet)

I absolutely love your books and I really like that Cat and Bones seem real in that they have relationship issues like everyone else. One of my favourite characters though, is Vlad. I would love to see a book featuring Vlad and learn more about his background. I really hope you have the opportunity to write it.

I think Alexander Skarsgard would make a good Bones, he looks good as his natural blonde and I think he'd be handsome as a brunette as well. Being Swedish, he could pull off a British accent. Not to typecast him as a vamp, but the guy is too sexy!

Although, I really like Taylor Kitsch for Bones as well. Hm, now I'm not sure which I'd prefer...

As for Cat, I actually like the woman on the covers. Not sure who she is, but she has a unique look to her that is appealing.

I have a question for Jeaniene as well -- Other than Spade and Mencheres' books, are you contracted for any more NHW books? Other than Vlad, who is top on your list? Any characters we haven't yet met, maybe?

Hi again! Saw there were a few more questions, so wanted to get to them.

“Other than Spade and Mencheres' books, are you contracted for any more NHW books? Other than Vlad, who is top on your list? Any characters we haven't yet met, maybe?”

No more NHW books contracted yet. Think my publisher’s waiting to see how the first two do first. After Vlad, if I get to write more, Ian would probably be next on my list of characters I’d like to write about.

“Do you make a lot of research on myths and legends, or do you improvise?"

Both. Some things I improvise, but some aspects of the supernatural I base on folklore and that requires research.

“What times of the day do you write the best?”

Afternoon and evening. Mornings are harder, because I’m not as caffeinated then :).

“How would you describe what your writing area is like?”

Messy! I have sticky notes with half-baked ideas next to cd’s of iTunes music next to my grocery lists next to my outline or revision notes…you get the idea. I fail at neatness.

“Honestly, how do you not get stuck while you write? Do you do a mantra or just go away, get some hot chocolate and then the sugar buzz hits, you're back at the desk?”

I do get stuck at times. Think all writers do sooner or later. There’s no one trick to defeat writer’s block for me; sometimes, yes, it’s chocolate time, sometimes listening to music, or taking a walk, or any number of things until I can concentrate again. And sometimes, that’s only done through forcing myself to write even if I know I’m going to delete every word later.

“I am curious, have you considered writing for the young adult audience?”

Yes. I have three partially-written young adult novels that have been on the backburner for a couple years, actually. Would like to sell one of those one day. We’ll see how it goes.

This is one of my most favorite series. Usually, I wait till I've got 3 or 4 in a series to tackle it. Cat & Bones, however, will not allow this. They must be read ASAP. I fell in love with Cat's sassy kickass 'tude in chapter 1 of book 1.

"do you have a lot of input in the cover choices? Is there an image that you have when you come to choosing covers?"

My editor will ask me what ideas I have for my cover. I'll rattle off things I do want, things I don't want, plus send pics as examples sometimes. Those suggestions are then taken to the cover conference meeting with marketing and the art department. I've been very lucky because most of the time, my ideas are incorporated into the covers. Plus my cover artist, Tom Egner, is amazing and adds lots of touches I didn't think of.

Thanks again, everyone, for such a great turnout of comments! And thanks again to Doug for having me :).

Just wanted to drop back by and say thanks for answering my question Jeaniene! I bought FDoC for my husband for his birthday (today!) and he spoiled the surprise by noticing it on shelves while we were out. You should have seen the man lol "oooh hey isn't that the chick who writes the—" "NO! You can't buy that!" *hubby adopts quizzical look* "You'll ruin one of your birthday presents. Err..."